Convertible transporting device

ABSTRACT

A convertible transporting device in which a flexible fluid containing bag is supported in an open top container. The flexible bag fills the container when full of fluid and lies in the bottom of the container when empty. A support platform forms a movable top wall in the container supported by the bag. The platform moves downwardly in the container as the bag empties and with the bag completely empty forms a floor in the bottom portion of the container overlying the bag. With the bag empty and the platform in its lowermost position, dry freight can be stacked on the platform within the container to provide a pay load on the reverse trip.

United States Patent [191 Demirag [451 Aug. 14, 1973 1 CONVERTIBLE TRANSPORTING DEVICE [22] Filed: July 30, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 167,589

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Italy 220/63 R Primary Examiner-George E. Lowrance Assistant Examiner-Stephen P. Garbe Attorney-Herman, Davidson & Berman [57] ABSTRACT A convertible transporting device in which a flexible fluid containing bag is supported in an open top container. The flexible bag fills the container when full of fluid and lies in the bottom of the container when empty. A support platform forms a movable top wall in the container supported by the bag. The platform moves downwardly in the container as the bag empties and with the bag completely empty forms a floor in the bottom portion of the container overlying the bag. With the bag empty and the platform in its lowermost position, dry freight can be stacked on the platform within the container to provide a pay load on the reverse trip.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 14, 1973 3,752,354

2 INVENTOR. F7 3 644 DEM/A246,

52% ATTORNEYS.

CONVERTIBLE TRANSPORTING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to convertible transporting devices for converting from liquid to dry cargo.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an open top container for supporting a flexible bag forming a tank for carrying liquids. A rigid platform is supported on the bag and raises and lowers with the bag as liquid is pumped into and out of the bag. With the bag in collapsed condition, the platform is positioned in the lowermost part of the container and serves as a floor to support dry cargo which may be stacked thereon.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a convertible fluid to dry cargo container in which the conversion is automatic.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specification when considered in light of the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse crosssection taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the bag empty;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures, the reference numeral indicates generally a convertible liquid/dry cargo transporting device.

The device 10 includes a container 11 having a bottom wall 12, spaced parallel side walls 13, 14 and spaced parallel end walls 15, 16. The container 11 has the side walls l3, l4 and end walls 15, 16 integrally joined to the bottom wall 12 to form a container of relatively shallow open top form.

A flexible bag 17 is supported in the container 11 and when completely full is somewhat shorter in height than the height of the side walls 13, 14 and end walls l5, 16, as can be seen in FIG. 2. A generally rectangular rigid platform 18 is supported on the bag 17 and engages within the walls 13, 14, 15, 16 and slightly spaced therefrom. The platform 18 may be formed of solid material or may be of any construction that produces a flat surface for engaging the bag and a flat surface on which to stack cargo.

The bag 17 has an outlet fitting 19 joined thereto and extending through an outlet guide 20 in the bottom wall 12. A flange nut 21 is threaded on to the outlet fitting 19 and secures the outlet fitting 19 to the bottom wall 12. An elbow 22 is threaded into the nut 21 for connecting the outlet fitting 19 through a valve 23 to a drain pipe 24, both illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 5.

A manhole frame 25 is provided with a peripheral flange 26 on its lower end which is sealed to the upper portion of the bag 17. The manhole frame 25 has an inturned flange 27 on its upper edge extending peripherally completely thereabout. The manhole frame 25 extends upwardly through the platform 18 and extends slightly therebaove. A manhole box 28 has a peripheral flange 29 on its lower edge for engagement with the platform 18 surrounding the manhole frame 25. An annular seal 30 is positioned between the outer upper portion of the manhole frame 25 and the lower inner portion of the manhole box 28. Securing elements 31 0 secure the flange 29 to the platform 18 and secure the box 28 to the manhole frame 25.

A perforate detachable cover 32 is supported on the upper end of the box 28 to provide access and ventilation. A manhole cover 33 extends across the manhole frame 25 and is supported on an annular seal 34 which is in turn supported by the flange 27. Detachable members 35 secure the manhole cover 33 to the flange 27 for ready detachment. A neck 36 is integrally formed on the manhole cover 33 and opens therethrough to provide a filling neck. A cover 37 is threaded on to the filling neck 36 for removal when filling the bag 17 A vent pipe 38 is integrally formed on the manhole cover 33 and opens therethrough. A dome vent cover 39 is capped over the upper end of the vent pipes 38 to permit a flow of gas from the tank 17 to pass through the vent pipe 38.

In the use and operation of the invention, the container 11 forms a part of or is supported on any desired vehicle including trucks, railroad cars, ships, barges, and aircraft. The bag 17 is filled with oil or other liquid to be transported through the filling neck 36 and assumes the condition, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The platform 18 thus is at the upper end portion of the container 11 and serves as a cover for the bag 17. On

reaching the destination the liquid is drained from the tank 17 through the outlet fitting 19, elbow 22, valve 23 and outlet conduit 24.

As the oil or other liquid is drained from the bag 17, it collapses and permits the platform 18 to move downwardly in the container 11 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3. The container 11 may then be filled with dry cargo by stacking it on the platform 18 for shipment back to the location of the originating liquid shipment.

It should be noted that the conversion of the device from liquid to dry cargo and back to liquid cargo is completely automatic and is accomplished by. filling and emptying the flexible bag 17.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A convertible liquid/dry cargo container comprising a flexible bag adapted to contain liquid, an open top container supporting said bag, a platform supported on said bag within said container and adapted to raise and lower in said container as said bag is filled and emptied ,a manhole in said bag extending through said platform for giving access to said bag, a manhole cover detachably secured to said manhole, a vent pipe mounted on said manhole cover, and a filling pipe mounted on said manhole cover for filling said bag.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are provided on said bag extending through the bottom wall of said container for draining said bag.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a manhole box is secured to said platform surrounding said man- I hole and secured thereto, and a perforated cover is de- 

1. A convertible liquid/dry cargo container comprising a flexible bag adapted to contain liquid, an open top container supporting said bag, a platform supported on said bag within said container and adapted to raise and lower in said container as said bag is filled and emptied ,a manhole in said bag extending through said platform for giving access to said bag, a manhole cover detachably secured to said manhole, a vent pipe mounted on said manhole cover, and a filling pipe mounted on said manhole cover for filling said bag.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are provided on said bag extending through the bottom wall of said container for draining said bag.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a manhole box is secured to said platform surrounding said manhole and secured thereto, and a perforated cover is detachably secured to the top of said manhole box. 